Philippine passport applications can expect speedier service beginning October 2018 as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has shortened the waiting period for the processing line.
DFA announced the new shorter waiting periods on their social media.
The new shorter periods for Philippine passport applications are as follows:
- 12 working days for Regular Processing in DFA Aseana and Offices in Metro Manila
- 12 working days for Regular Processing in DFA Consular Offices outside Metro Manila
- 6 working days for Express Processing in DFA Aseana and Offices in Metro Manila
- 7 working days for Express Processing in DFA Consular Offices outside Metro Manila
- 2 weeks to 1 month waiting time to secure online appointments
The previous regular processing in Metro Manila took 15 working days, and 20 working days outside Metro Manila. Regular processing costs Php950.
Express processing in Metro Manila took 7 days, while those outside Metro Manila took 10 working days. Express processing costs Php1,200.
Securing online appointments previously took 2-3 months.
THE LONGER WAIT IS OVER. Starting 01 October 2018, passports would be available in as early as six working days as the DFA shortens the releasing periods for passport applicants in the Philippines.
READ: https://t.co/VDTa3zdyAT#PHPassport #DFAinACTION pic.twitter.com/erJluwCATU
— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) September 28, 2018
The DFA Courtesy Lane remains in service for walk-in applicants who are senior citizens, minors, persons with disability single parents, pregnant women, returning OFW.
DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the shortened period was “the result of reforms that have been initiated since last year that included efforts to increase the capacity of the DFA to absorb the surge in passport applications such as the e-payment and the opening of at least 10,000 slots at 12 noon and 9 pm, Monday to Saturday, except holiday.”
“From the 9,500 passports that were being processed daily in May last year, we have increased our capacity to almost 20,000 passports a day. We endeavor to increase this number to 30,000 by the end of the year,” Secretary Cayetano said.
Secretary Cayetano added the DFA is also currently working on reducing the waiting time for passport applications filed at Philippine Embassies and Consulates General around the world that currently takes as long as two months.
